Together with our partners, The Petfinder.com Foundation is constantly awarding grants to shelters and rescue groups to assist with disaster recovery. While these disasters vary in size, financial needs, and impact, I am always amazed at what effort these groups go to to help save the lives of homeless pets.

The staff and volunteers at the Pennsylvania-based Humane League of Lancaster County in Pennsylvania are no different. Recently, fellow Pennsylvania rescue Plain and Fancy Animal was completely destroyed by a house fire, due to electrical issues. The family was burdened was not only the loss of their home, but the loss of their shelter and home to the 40 dogs that were housed there. While this alone would be no small tragedy, Plain and Fancy Animal was also in the process of assisting with rescuing dogs from a nearby raided puppy mill, bringing the number of homeless dogs to 100.

Luckily, they had Denise Bash with Animal Lifeline on their side. Because of Denise, The Petfinder.com Foundation was put in touch with The Humane League of Lancaster County to assist with the recovery efforts of the stranded dogs. The Humane League of Lancaster County was awarded a $10,000 disaster grant to assist with the medical needs, spay/neuter requirements, vaccinations and transport of these dogs to a safer place. Thanks in part to the grant, The Humane League of Lancaster County is able to treat these dogs by improving the quality of their health before finding them forever homes. This donation not only helps the dogs, it also gives the rescuers of Plain and Fancy Animal the time they need to recover from the tragedy.

This disaster grant comes from a very generous gift from The Shelley & Donald Rubin Foundation, who join us in our belief that no adoptable pet should be euthanized for lack of a good home. I, along with the whole staff at the Petfinder.com Foundation, would like to extend a very special thank you for your dedication to the Petfinder.com Foundation and homeless pets!